Interdisciplinarity is the key to tackling our major challenges, but how to make this happen across university's that are organised around disciplines is something that remains tricky.

On 8th October, The University of Manchester’s Research Platforms - , , , and , - hosted the . Chaired by our Vice-President of Research, , the panel featured:

, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Deputy Director of Sustainable Futures

, Professor of Poetry, Director of Creative 91ֱ��

, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Graduate and International Research at the University of Melbourne.

The session delved into how The University of Manchester’s research platforms – and other similar initiatives at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere - drive and amplify interdisciplinary collaborations. Discussions highlighted the platforms’ pivotal roles in supporting research, fostering external engagement, and creating impactful connections with local authorities and businesses in Greater 91ֱ�� and beyond.

As John McAuliffe noted, given the wide range of complex challenges that communities locally and globally encounter, ‘the future is fundamentally interdisciplinary.’ The value of initiatives like 91ֱ��’s research platforms lies in their capacity to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary networks to be nurtured and to grow.

Inspired by each of the Research Platforms ‘’ was showcased, exemplifying our interdisciplinary approach.

This has been made possible following a successful bid to Arts Council England for a grant of £800,000 through its National Lottery funded Place Partnership Fund. 

The three-year place partnership aims to create lasting ways for creativity and culture to be at the heart of communities’ health and wellbeing. This builds on the growing recognition that engaging with creativity and culture helps us to lead longer, healthier, happier lives - a relationship that is increasingly referred to as ‘creative health’. 

Greater 91ֱ��’s Creative Health Place Partnership is part of Live Well; GM’s movement for community-led health and wellbeing, and will focus on pioneering new ways of supporting residents to live as well as they can, by creating new, community-led approaches with culture and creativity at their heart. 

Activity will include training early years providers to use dance to support the development of core strength, numeracy and literacy in nursery schools; supporting neurodivergent young people’s mental health and wellbeing though access to creative activity and creating new, community based mental health support opportunities with and for global majority communities (people who do not consider themselves or are not considered to be white). 

The partnership includes GM based arts organisations with a long history of creative health work, including , and in Stockport who are recognised as developing the first ever Arts on Prescription programme in England. 

National organisations including and are also on board, with Rambert leading the dance and early years strand and ENO working with respiratory experts and communities to expand their award-winning ENO Breathe programme. 

In a move signalling the will for organisations across GM to work together for the benefit of its residents, all five higher education institutions in GM are signed up to the partnership and will provide research and learning support under the banner of the mayor’s Civic University Agreement. 

Jane Pilkington, Director of Population Health, NHS Greater 91ֱ�� said: 
“Residents of Greater 91ֱ�� experience some of the starkest health inequalities in England and we are continually working to find new and innovative ways to support our communities to Live Well. Support from the Arts Council and a wide range of regional and national partners will enable Greater 91ֱ�� to continue to lead the way in harnessing the power of culture and creativity to address these inequalities, be that through creative social prescribing, breath training through singing or mental health support through creative engagement. 

“Greater 91ֱ�� is home to many organisations whose mission it is to improve people’s health and wellbeing through access to the arts and heritage and we are proud to be able to build on these foundations to become the world’s first Creative Health City Region.” 

Jen Cleary, Director North, Arts Council England said: 
“We’re proud to support this ambitious work through our Place Partnership Fund, designed to help places make a step-change in the cultural and creative lives of the community. We believe in a strong connection between access to creative experiences and the health and quality of people’s lives, so it’s fantastic to see such a range of creative, health and community partners coming together in this way to address some of the most prominent health issues in Greater 91ֱ��. This project is a really exciting way to address health challenges through the power of arts and culture, and I can’t wait to see how it develops.”

My name is Gweni Matthews, and I am the Creative 91ֱ�� Graduate Intern as a part of the 91ֱ�� Graduate Talent scheme. I work within the Communications and Engagement team in the Creative 91ֱ�� Hub. 

Creative 91ֱ�� is one of four research platforms at the University of Manchester, supporting interdisciplinary research and championing creativity.

Creative 91ֱ�� collaborates with cultural institutions and organisations across Greater 91ֱ��, providing me with insights into more than just University administration. Through my time at Creative 91ֱ��, I have developed a diverse skill set that will be transferable to future roles. My responsibilities include managing events, social media, communications, and the daily administrative and clerical operations of the research platform.

After graduating with a History and Art History degree in July 2023, I was uncertain about my career path. I’ve always been drawn to the heritage and cultural industries but was put off, assuming they were somewhat inaccessible. Discovering the Creative 91ֱ�� role through Career Connect was a relief, offering a way into my desired industry. 

Having previously worked in hospitality roles throughout my time at University, this role has been a useful introduction into a professional workplace. I have broadened my interpersonal skills through engaging with various stakeholders such as artists, Professional Services staff, the public, researchers and students.

Initially, I found this new role rather intimidating, but I quickly adapted by transferring skills from my degree and hospitality experience. The supportive Creative 91ֱ�� team helped me grow confident in my role, allowing me to take ownership of projects such as creating Instagram reels and a social media stats dashboard. The length of the scheme being 12 months has allowed enough time to be able to fully develop and grow confident in these new skills. 

I gained valuable insights and hands on experience through running successful marketing campaigns, leasing with other teams inside and outside of the University, creating and commissioning event collateral, creating engaging social posts, conducting audience research and undertaking email marketing. I have also had the opportunity to improve my skills with various systems Including various projects on Excel and using Premier Pro to edit videos. I feel confident in being able to transfer these skills to a variety of different roles in my future career.

What I have enjoyed the most is the events side of the role. This has been exciting and varied, with frequent events at venues across 91ֱ�� like , and . 

Through the events and research we convene I have learned how creativity can improve health at our events such as 's Music Cafe’s and our International Women’s Day Celebration looking at Muslim Women’s wellbeing and creativity with .

Additionally, I have been involved in setting up the CreaTech Network across Greater 91ֱ��. Being a part of the events administration and delivery of these events proved exciting and rewarding. We have also contributed to a range of literary events with figures like and which have been really exciting to get involved in. The range of events and activities we partake in have also offered vast opportunities to network.

Creative 91ֱ�� sits within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, which does a lot of work for staff well-being. I contributed to the school's EDI and Wellbeing Committee, organizing events such as a Creative 91ֱ�� coffee morning. The University's hybrid working charter also promotes a healthy work-life balance.

This role has allowed me to choose areas for skill development through new tasks and training. Weekly one-on-one meetings with my line manager help me stay on track and identify areas for growth. I have undertaken training courses through the University, LinkedIn Learning and the including courses on MS Excel, Photoshop, marketing and accessibility. 

I was fortunate to attend the AMA Conference 2024 in Brighton, which provided an opportunity to network with individuals across the sector. I attended several insightful talks including one on accessibility, trans inclusivity and social media branding amongst others. I feel confident in being able to bring forward these skills into future posts.

My year as an intern at Creative 91ֱ�� has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to advance in my career. The MGT scheme has been an excellent opportunity to transition into the professional world after graduation.

This role allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing my skills and preparing me for a dynamic career in the arts and cultural sector. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my experience and skills to foster innovation and inclusivity in the creative field.

The primary project I worked on was the , an event funded by Arts Council England (ACE) celebrating 91ֱ��'s rich literary heritage and extensive local library network. My responsibilities included event planning and coordination, audience development, and communication strategy, and I participated in Zoom meetings with key stakeholders to finalize event details.

Implementing audience development strategies was crucial, involving tailored communication plans and outreach efforts to engage specific demographics. Crafting engaging news stories and social media posts using platforms like Hootsuite and Canva was also a key part of my role, ensuring content resonated with the target audience.

As part of the event, I helped to establish detailed communication planning and implementing audience growth strategies for four key seminars in the Festival of Libraries schedule. Each session was carefully crafted to appeal to a wide variety of age groups and interests, providing participants with a rich and immersive experience suited to their preferences and expectations. I hoped that by implementing these ideas, we would not only broaden the festival's reach, but also deepen engagement and foster long-term relationships with our audience.

To illustrate, take the "Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon" workshop, for instance, which was designed to captivate young children up to the age of 8, along with their parents, caregivers, and educators. Employing audience development strategies, we orchestrated targeted social media plans and community outreach endeavors to ensure broad participation and robust engagement.

This is also one of the highlights of my placement. This event was a resounding success and a truly delightful experience. The workshop's innovative approach combined the joys of reading with sensory play, allowing children to explore literature through interactive and edible elements. 

Promotional materials emphasized the educational benefits and fun nature of the event, which helped in drawing a significant number of participants. The event featured a variety of activities where children could taste food items inspired by their favourite storybooks, making the experience both memorable and educational. 

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter as children immersed themselves in the stories, transforming the act of reading into a multi-sensory adventure.

The success of the "Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon" workshop not only demonstrated the power of creative engagement in fostering a love for reading among children but also highlighted the importance of community involvement in cultural events. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our efforts on the participants, reinforcing the value of inclusive and accessible cultural programming.

The votes have been counted. The People’s Choice Award winners of the 2024 UK-China Photography Competition are Chih-Yu Chuang’s photo ‘My Morning Ritual of the Day’, and Muhammad Sajeer Parambath’s entry ‘Brewing Bonds: Jing’s Overflowing Coffee’. Each winner claims a prize of £100 in cash.

Coincidentally, both images focused on the theme of food and drink. 

Chuang commented of the winning photo: 

“Starting my day means embarking on a daily breakfast adventure, a joy I find even when travelling.” 

And Muhammed said of his image: 

“Jing’s morning ritual of crafting coffee for his colleagues brims with warmth and care, fostering heartwarming moments and laughter among the group.”

Run by the (MCI) and at The University of Manchester, the theme of this year’s competition was 'Daily Rituals’. The top 30 finalists and winning photos were shortlisted out of hundreds of submissions received from China and the UK.

Each entry demonstrated how a thoughtful photograph can transcend cultural and linguistic divides, reveal our common humanity, and enhance mutual understanding between China and the UK. The votes were registered in person at this year’s Photo Exhibition at Alliance 91ֱ�� Business School, at the , and online via Google and WeChat.

MCI Director, , said: 

The day commenced with a panel discussion on “Archaeotecture” chaired by Professor Teresa Anderson, with Professor Clive Ruggles and Professor Bob Cwyinski, to explore the intersection of ancient cosmologies and modern scientific discoveries. The panel discussed how Garner's fiction has bridged dialogues between disciplines such as archaeology and physics, offering imaginative continuities that enrich our understanding of the universe. The discussions were a testament to Garner’s ability to weave complex, interdisciplinary ideas into his narratives, making his work a subject of academic interest and admiration.

One of the highlights of the day was "A Walk in Time" with archaeologist Melanie Giles. Participants were taken on a journey through the Jodrell Bank site, where Giles reflected on the objects and ideas that have inspired Garner’s writing. The walk included hands-on experiences with archaeological artefacts and replicas, bringing to life themes of landscape lore, craft skills, and protective charms that are prevalent in Garner's novels.

Following the walk attendees were invited to a film screening of To The Round Meadow: Alan Garner & Jodrell Bank by Al Kenny. The film featured an intimate conversation between Alan Garner and his daughter, Elizabeth Garner, discussing his connection to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. This conversation delved into Garner's personal memories and reflections on the site, highlighting how it has influenced his writing and enriched his imaginative landscapes.

The day continued with the panel discussion "Archaeology & the Imagination of Place" chaired by Melanie Giles. The panel, Tim Campbell-Green, Richard Morris, and Rose Ferraby, explored how Garner’s work, deeply rooted in the past, has woven archaeological knowledge, discoveries, and folklore into his narratives. Melanie Giles and Rose Ferraby discussed how their professional practices have been influenced and enriched by Garner’s storytelling and explorations of histories in the Cheshire landscape.

The final panel, "A Place Across Time" chaired by , featured Elizabeth Garner and medieval scholar David Matthews. This discussion centred on the intersections of historical and mythological time within imaginative fictions, poetry, and actual landscapes, drawing on Alan Garner’s vivid depictions of place across time in his works.

In the evening our Solstice celebrations culminated with a reading and discussion of Sarah Perry’s latest novel, Enlightenment. Set in a small town in Essex, the novel intricately weaves a narrative of entangled relationships and emotional turmoil, exploring the conflict between faith and fact. Perry, renowned for her award-winning works such as The Essex Serpent, explored the novel's themes with Chair Teresa Anderson, and wowed guests with her seamless integration of astronomical principles into the storytelling.

– the University’s creativity-championing research platform – hosted five workshop sessions in partnership with the , , and .

‘Writing for Wellbeing’ took place at Tameside, Rochdale and Bury Libraries on 13 - 15 June. Facilitators Rebecca Hurst, Tessa Harris and John McAuliffe worked with participants to explore the benefits of creative writing on personal wellbeing. 

One attendee commented:

‘Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon’ returned on Friday, 14 June with two sessions: a private workshop for Reception children at St. Andrew’s C of E Primary School Levenshulme, held at Arcadia Library, and a public session at 91ֱ�� Central Library. Children enjoyed a storytime session with play food, colouring activities, and fruits to eat.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective held two well-attended workshops at The Portico Library on 12 and 14 June. The first, ‘What’s in a word and what’s in a dictionary?’ saw attendees take part in activities looking at how dictionaries define words and phrases. 

‘Blackout the jargon’ then invited participants to engage with scientific literature in a unique way through blackout poetry. 

Supported by , the Festival of Libraries 2024 was a testament to 91ֱ��’s enduring commitment to literacy, learning, and inclusivity. 

Find out more about the Festival of Libraries .

I am a Master’s student in Creative and Cultural Industries at The University of Manchester’s . My keen interest in creative production and event management is what led me to choosing Creative 91ֱ�� for my placement module. 

The placement option stated that the placement student would have the opportunity to support the curation, planning and delivery of the University’s Bicentenary Festival, as well as supporting Creative 91ֱ��’s activity and engagement events. 

Since I was looking for specific project management experience, I knew that Creative 91ֱ�� was the best place to be, especially as they were so well-connected with the wider cultural and creative community of Manchester.

My placement began in January and would last until the end of May, every Wednesday for 20 weeks (with a short break over Easter). After completing the health and safety induction, I was asked to familiarise myself with the projects I would be assisting on. 

This included our Bicentenary festival programme for Friday, 7 June, the Diagrams collection (a collection of diagrams relating to the university), and a cross-platform art installation. With this information, I had to research what type of structure we could use for the art installation, producing a document with price, material, size, sustainability, and other relevant information.

Then, in the afternoon, I helped install a new art installation in the glass corridor in the Samuel Alexander building. This mix of activity represents my days at the placement quite well; I would work on the main projects, as well as the organisations many other engagement events such as research cafés, talks, panels, and installations. 

This allowed me to grow my understanding of Creative 91ֱ�� as a research platform, but even more generally of what a creative and cultural organisation may look like. Every week was a different experience and I never felt idle in my time. 

One such event was the , focusing on women of colour, partnering with (MACFest). It was an afternoon event held in the Whitworth Gallery, Grand Hall, with performances, food, and a panel discussion on inequalities in women’s health. I helped to set up the event, assisting MACFest, and offering event support throughout the event. 

This was such a highlight of my placement as I got to meet such a variety of people, and really enjoyed the performances and the panel talk. I understood first-hand how Creative 91ֱ�� connects with other creative organisations in 91ֱ�� and supports researchers, in both networking and their projects.

My main work with the Universally 91ֱ�� Festival involved planning, programming, and marketing. Over weeks, the event day was built up through meetings, emails, and communications with relevant partners to perfect tech, timings, and other specifics for each event. I learnt how to plan and execute a marketing and event communications campaign and design the graphics for social media. 

Getting down to the minute details was so important for this process and I learnt that planning each step carefully would lead to a more efficient and low-risk event day. It was a privilege to be able to help organise Creative 91ֱ��’s events at the Universally 91ֱ�� Festival, and I am looking forward to seeing them become reality!

I would like to thank the convenor of the placement course, , as well as Anne-Marie Nugnes and the rest of the Creative 91ֱ�� team, and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, for making this placement possible. It has been the highlight of my Master’s course and I look forward to taking the skills I have gained into my future career.

This series of events aimed to build a CreaTech network to provide support, funding and connections to help grow this sector. These events echoed the aspirations of the Greater 91ֱ�� city region to develop the CreaTech sector and to facilitate partnerships between the university and the wider GM Business Community.

We are pleased to announce that is now live, featuring photos and outputs of the breakout sessions. We are also pleased to have worked with to produce a suite of after movies showcasing People's experiences at the events and highlighting the importance of networking across the emerging CreaTech sector. Watch the full videos .

Our first event invited individuals interested and working in the gaming/animation/VR/AR industry within Greater 91ֱ�� to network with each other and collaborate. We asked them to uncover the overall theme of “How Do We Make 91ֱ�� Great?” within breakout groups. See what attendees had to say about CreaTech innovation and the importance of networking across the sector.

 

In our second event ‘Digital Artisans’ we bridged the gap between tradition and innovation through looking at how artisanal craft can harness Createch This event was held at a fitting setting to delve into how independent artists can come together to chart a path towards a future where tradition and innovation converge, propelling 91ֱ��'s artisan arts and crafts sector to new heights of success.

Our next event focused on CreaTech innovation in the Audio and Sound sector. Held in the entrepreneurial atmosphere of , the event brought together enthusiastic, experts, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds, all united by their passion for the intersection of creativity, technology, and sound. See what attendees had to say about the importance of CreaTech in the sound industry.
 

Our next event focused on the fast-paced world of ‘Creative AI’ and took place at . This event brought together creatives who have an interest in digital technology and AI. Furthering the CreaTech ethos, the event connected inspired individuals who wanted to understand how to stay at the front of technological change and how their work practice has adapted to the advances in accessible AI.

The final instalment in the CreaTech Network Series surrounded the theme of Fashion, taking place in the iconic in Ancoats. Bringing together professionals and enthusiasts in the Fashion scene around 91ֱ��. We asked attendees about how they thought technology could change the landscape of the Fashion industry.

As our CreaTech Network events of March 2024 have drawn to a close, we reflect on the exciting potential all attendees have reflected through the CreaTech network and look forward to future collaborations. 

We have helped to pave the way for a strong network of Creatives in Greater 91ֱ�� ready to tackle the evolving CreaTech sector. We have also gained an understanding of the University of Manchester’s role in an increasingly digital and technology focused landscape.

From 12-16 June 2024, Greater 91ֱ�� will once again celebrate the Festival of Libraries – which promises a rich tapestry of vibrant events for all ages and interests.

Authors, poets, performers, artists and historians will share their love for libraries and literature across the region’s libraries. The Festival of Libraries programme is brimming with imagination and attendees can expect exhibitions, author talks, performances, installations, live music, workshops, and international collaborations. 

These free events highlight the diverse offerings of libraries, showcasing their role as service, learning and creativity hubs which are open to all.

is delighted to be offering a series of workshops for the Festival of Libraries celebrations, partnering with the , and .

All workshops are free to attend but booking is required due to limited spaces.

This session delves into the meanings of everyday words and idiomatic phrases, offering insights into how dictionaries define words and how language learners acquire vocabulary. Run by the . 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

Facilitated by professional writers from the , these workshops explore the positive effects of creative writing on mental health and wellbeing. 

• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 6pm -  
• Friday, 14 June 2024, 1pm – Heywood Library
• Saturday, 15 June 2024 – Ramsbottom Library

Participants will engage in blackout poetry, finding meaning in scientific texts by selecting certain words and redacting the rest to create literary and visual works of art. Run by the . 

• Friday, 14 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

An immersive experience and read-a-thon of classic and contemporary children’s literature aimed at young children aged 0-8. Run by the staff and students. 

• Sunday, 16 June 2024, 1pm - Central Library

An immersive audio experience allowing listeners to walk in the footsteps of those with the misunderstood condition of chronic cough. Run by the project. 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 12pm, 2pm and 6pm – Longsight Library
• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 12pm and 2pm – Longsight Library

More information on the Festival of Libraries 2024, including the full programme, can be found on the website. 

In the evening novelist Sarah Perry will discuss her new novel ‘Enlightenment’ in an intimate setting, featuring a reading and a Q&A.

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 10.30am – 5.30pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

The day begins with a variety of panel discussions, a walk of the Jodrell Bank site and a filmed conversation with Alan Garner exploring the themes of his literary work. Alan Garner’s writing is deeply rooted in the history and landscape of Alderley Edge, draws inspiration from the area's archaeology and the cosmic wonders observed at Jodrell Bank Observatory. 

In celebration of his 90th birthday, experts from archaeology, physics, and literature will convene at Jodrell Bank to discuss the impact of Garner's writing on their respective fields, as well as how the sciences have influenced the writer himself. Together, they will explore themes of time and place in his novels, celebrating his contribution to contemporary storytelling.

Purchase your ticket and optional lunch and transport from Oxford Road .

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 6.30pm – 8pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

Later in the day, attendees can enjoy an evening with author Sarah Perry, featuring her latest novel, Enlightenment. Perry's book delves into questions of faith, physics, and human emotion against the backdrop of a small town in Essex. The newest story from award-winning novelist Sarah Perry weaves a web of entangled relationships and emotion, its characters trapped within the conflict between faith and fact. 

Traversing some of the biggest questions on an intimate and captivating level, Enlightenment will stay with you long after closing the final page.

The event offers a chance to hear Perry discuss her creative process, read excerpts from "Enlightenment," and participate in a Q&A session.

Purchase your ticket and optional dinner .

These events promise a thought-provoking exploration of literature and science, set against the backdrop of the Summer Solstice at Jodrell Bank. Tickets are available for both events, with a discounted rate available for the ‘An Evening With Sarah Perry’ event if attending both events.

These events are part of Creative 91ֱ��’s ‘Solstice and Equinox series’, a series of events which brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. 

Each of our unique cultural institutions – the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 91ֱ�� Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

Grammy award-winning jazz percussionist and Simon Industrial Fellow Carlos Maldonado recently ran workshops for year 6 classes in two local primary schools.

Pupils from Stanley Grove Primary Academy and Abraham Moss Community School had the opportunity to learn about the origins and traditions of jazz, including an introduction to jazz instruments and how to recognise styles and music from Latin America. The workshops also saw the children experience jazz first-hand, with a live performance from Carlos and the chance for pupils to perform and improvise using traditional instruments such as Maracas, Guido, Claves, Cowbell as well as different drums such as the Bongo drums and Cajón. 

The pupils asked great questions about Carlos’ awards, being a professional musician and his favourite instruments and percussion sounds. They described the workshop as ‘Amazing,’ ‘Fun’ and ‘Unique,’ with teachers commenting on how well the session aligned with their music curriculum and how it engaged and inspired pupils who would typically not engage. 

Watch the video below to see highlights of Carlos’ visit to Abraham Moss Community School:

Carlos has also performed with The University of Manchester’s jazz ensemble. Watch the video here:

To close the inaugural People Fest conference from 5-7 April, the and proudly present '', a free event featuring in conversation with Dr Rupert Cox.

The event will highlight some of Jeremy’s films and collaborations. Dr Katie Smith and students from Social Anthropology at The University of Manchester will ask how his playful explorations of British identity might connect to themes in anthropological research. The discussion promises to be an engaging exploration of Deller's impactful work within the context of contemporary British culture and societal discourse surrounding it.

Jeremy Deller, renowned for his thought-provoking installations, films, and conceptual art, will offer unique insights into his artistic practice, which often navigates the intersections of history, popular culture, and societal issues. We are looking forward to hearing him share his perspectives on creativity, activism, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.

Organized as part of the inaugural , this event underscores the commitment of the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology and Creative 91ֱ�� to fostering interdisciplinary discussions and celebrating by bringing Jeremy Deller to the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential voices in contemporary art.

Registrations for 'Jeremy Deller in Conversation' are open now, and everyone is welcome to attend. to secure your spot.

Event details:

Date: Sunday, April 7, 3.30 pm-5 pm, followed by a drinks reception
Location: , M1 5BY 
 

The other panel members include:

• Director of Creative 91ֱ�� and Professor of Poetry, ;
•  Writer, illustrator and opera-maker, Dr Rebecca Hurst, who was commissioned to write a poem celebrating the University’s 2024 bicentennial year;
• 91ֱ��-based poet and critic, Maryam Hessavi.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, of no more than 280 characters, and submit via email or on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #micropoem24. Submissions are open to anybody and can explore Greater 91ֱ��’s industrial past, dive into the modern-day city and everything it has to offer, or even imagine its blossoming future.

Lemn said: “The University of Manchester’s micropoetry competition sets the challenging task of translating a theme into a short, tweet-like form. It’s a craft to tell a story in such a manner and I’m looking forward to reading the 2024 entries, centred around the chosen theme. As someone who published a book of tweets in the form of quatrains, I urge you to pen your poem and enter our micropoetry competition.”

Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, 10 April 2024, with winners to be announced Friday, 17 May.

Prizes will be awarded for first place (£500) and the two runners-up (£250), with a £25 book token for winner of the under-18s category. Authors of the top three micropoems and the winner of the under-18 category will also be invited to attend the University of Manchester’s Community Festival on Saturday 8 June 2024.

Find out more and try your hand at the #micropoem24 competition at .

Creative 91ֱ�� were pleased to partner with , and , for ‘Bernie Sanders in Conversation with Gary Younge’ at theatre on Sunday, 18 February 2024. 

This event discussed Senator Sanders’ new book, the New York Times and Sunday Times Bestseller ‘It’s Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism’.

Senator Sanders, who is an American politician and activist from Vermont and the longest serving independent member in US congressional history, was interviewed by Professor Gary Younge, the award-winning author, broadcaster, and Professor of Sociology here at the University of Manchester.

Sanders and Younge touched on issues in both the UK and US such as the wealth gap, healthcare, the climate crisis, childcare and many more, all in the name of envisioning an alternative path forward where the ‘system is no longer rigged against ordinary people’.

Senator Sanders asked how we can accept an economic order that allows three billionaires to control more wealth than the bottom half of our society. 

He also highlighted the failures of the US political system that allows the super-rich to buy elections and politicians and calls for a change to the energy system that rewards the fossil fuel corporations. 

By calling for fundamental economic and political change in his conversation with Gary Younge he provided useful insights into his book and career, which made for an interesting and engaging event.

This year was the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 91ֱ��, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

collaborated with partners and colleagues to present a series of events to mark the occasion.

In partnership with the and , a workshop and language themed trail offered visitors of all ages a chance to learn about and celebrate languages and multilingualism. The ‘Language of Life’ workshop, led by Dr Nick Weise and Dr Tine Breban, explored the origins of scientific vocabulary and where the terms we use for chemicals in the body come from. 

The ‘Looking for Languages’ trail gave families the chance to explore 91ֱ�� Museum’s exhibits while thinking about languages along the way. Children who took part commented, ‘I enjoyed it because I learned so many different things,’ ‘It was so good,’ and ‘It was fun exploring.’

In partnership with The University of Manchester and colleagues at hosted the annual ‘Comics Up Close’ conference, this year with the theme ‘Origin Stories’ and featuring keynote speakers Dave Gibbons, Steven Appleby and Karrie Fransman. An exhibition, ‘Collectives for Change’, featuring comics from the Arab world, ran alongside the conference. 

This exhibition is also currently hosted at The University of Manchester, in the Samuel Alexander Building’s glass corridor exhibition space, until Friday, 15 March 2024.

To find out more about International Mother Language day and the local celebrations, visit the .

After being awarded funding to foster the growth of Greater 91ֱ��'s burgeoning CreaTech sector, Digital Futures, Creative 91ֱ��, and the Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) 91ֱ�� are launching an exciting series of networking events.

The event series aims to provide a platform for industry professionals within the creative, technology, and digital realms to connect, collaborate, and explore avenues for collaboration and innovation. Launching in March 2024, these events promise to bring together the vibrant community of digital and creative professionals in the Greater 91ֱ�� area.

The event series is in line with the aspirations of the Greater 91ֱ�� city region to develop the CreaTech sector and to facilitate partnerships between The University and the wider GM Business Community.

Each networking event will focus on a different section of the CreaTech industries, ranging from Sound and Vision to Fashion and Creative AI. The Digital Artisans networking event will focus on those working in artisan crafts and manual arts looking to learn to exploit the opportunities of CreaTech and position themselves at the intersection of the digital and creative sectors. 

Throughout March 2024 we will be bringing together professionals from the creative, digital and technological industries in Greater 91ֱ�� under the overarching theme of "How Do We Make 91ֱ�� Great?".
 

The event take place throughout March on the following dates:

Date: 4 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: No. 1 Circle Square, M1 7FS

Date: 14 March, 3pm – 6pm
Location: GRIT Studios, Great Northern Warehouse, M3 4EN

Date: 21 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: Arbeta, M40 5BP

Date: 26 March, 9.30am - 11.30am
Location: Fire Up Rochdale, OL11 1DN
 

Date: 28 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: Hallé St. Peters, M4 6BF
 

The events are free and everyone is welcome to attend.

This year will be the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 91ֱ��, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

Creative 91ֱ�� has coordinated with partners and colleagues from the , , and the to present events including:

• Wednesday 21 February, all day - at Sheffield Hallam University
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-2pm – at 91ֱ�� Museum
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-4pm -

Running alongside the Comics Up Close conference at Sheffield Hallam University is the ‘Collectives for Change’ exhibition, showcasing the thriving new comic movement across the Arab world. 

We are delighted to also be hosting this exhibition here at The University of Manchester. 

You can view the exhibition in the Samuel Alexander Building glass corridor exhibition space, between 19 February-18 March 2024.

The full programme of IMLD 2024 events can be found on the website.

The competition themed is ‘200 years of creativity: 91ֱ��’s past, present or future’. Our theme focuses on 91ֱ��, a city with a global reach that celebrates its connections across the world. Entries may be submitted between Wednesday, 17 January 2024 and Wednesday, 10 April 2024.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, in no more than 280 characters, and include the hashtag #micropoem24. Let your imagination lead your discovery and creativity: your micropoem might explore Greater 91ֱ��’s industrial past, or dive into the modern-day 91ֱ�� and everything it has to offer. As a pioneer in word-leading research for two centuries, we are sure there’s more to come, so maybe pen something you see in 91ֱ��’s future.

The launch of this year’s competition also marks the University of Manchester’s ‘Light Up’ event that signals the start of our bicentennial activity for 2024.

We are asking you to send us short poems by Wednesday, 10 April 2024. 

Try your hand in our #micropoem24 competition! 

For the full entry details as well as the terms and conditions, visit the .

Award-winning writer, acclaimed author and Professor of New Writing at The University of Manchester, Jeanette Winterson returns to the John Rylands Research Institute and Library on Thursday, 14 December to share her latest chilling collection - Night Side of the River: Ghost Stories.

Ghost stories told at Christmas is a long-held tradition and a popular Victorian pastime, with families sharing spine-tingling tales around a cosy fireplace as the nights lengthened and winter settled in.

While our lives have become digital, exposed and always on, ghosts have been finding new ways to connect to us, to reach us, to haunt us.

Approaching the darkest day of the year and in the atmospheric setting of the Grade-I listed, neo-Gothic library, Jeanette will read from her new collection, talk with poet and Creative 91ֱ�� Director, Professor John McAuliffe about her work and share some of her real-life encounters with the occult. Entertaining, passionate and highly knowledgeable, Jeanette’s events are not to be missed.

On Sunday, 17 December, prize-winning poet Alice Oswald will read her work at Jodrell Bank as part of its .

Alice Oswald studied Classics at Oxford and then trained as a gardener. She worked in gardens for seven years before publishing her first book of poems, THE THING IN THE GAP-STONE STILE, which won the Forward Prize in 1996. Since then, Alice has released eight highly acclaimed collections for which she has won several awards and prizes.

Jodrell Bank is the perfect place to get into the midwinter mood as the site is transformed to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

’s ‘Solstice and Equinox’ series of events brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions – , the , and – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

These festive literary evenings are open to all and available to book now:

• Book for Jeanette Winterson, 14 December
• Buy for Alice Oswald, 17 December

Aviva Studios, nestled within the heart of Manchester, is set to be a beacon of creativity and innovation for aspiring artists and performers. The University of Manchester is proud to be a Senior Supporter of Factory International, producers of the 91ֱ�� International Festival, who have found a new home in the highly anticipated, multi-purpose arts venue.

'Free Your Mind' is directed by Danny Boyle, renowned for the cult film ‘Trainspotting’ as well as the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. The play pushes the boundaries of performance art, combining theatre, dance, music, and technology, with a nod to Mancunian computer scientist Alan Turing.

The University of Manchester provided a dedicated rehearsal space within the Sackville Street building for the ‘Free Your Mind’ ensemble to practise and develop the show. Through the longstanding partnership, spanning over a decade, University of Manchester students have the opportunity to engage in placements, internships, and group research projects with Factory International, and much more.

'Free Your Mind' is a taste of the opportunities Factory International’s programming can bring to a modern and ambitious venue such as Aviva Studios.

'Free Your Mind' will be running at Aviva Studios until Sunday, 5 November 2023, so be sure to book your tickets before they’re gone via .

Four University of Manchester academics have received funding to work across several government departments as part of the programme.

Representing the Faculty of Humanities, the four academics have the aim of helping to fulfil the potential of research and expertise to inform and share effective public policy and its implementation. The four academics are:

From School of Arts, Languages and Cultures:

• - Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
• - Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

From School of Environment, Education and Development:

• – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

From School of Social Sciences:

• - Home Office, National Crime and Justice Lab
   

Collectively, they will be key in providing policymakers with access to evidence and expertise from a range of research and scientific disciplines. This will enable those policymakers to address major challenges facing the UK and to capitalise on future opportunities.
 

Professor Dave O’Brien said: 

"I'm delighted to be starting this fellowship at DCMS. Research on the creative workforce, particularly on the question of how to support a more diverse creative economy, is currently central to a range of academic work. I'm excited by the opportunity to share this work with policymakers. At the same time, it is a huge opportunity to learn more about the policy process and to better understand how research and policy can work together."
 

Dr Abi Gilmore said: 

“The policy fellowship with DCMS on cultural placemaking and levelling up is a fantastic opportunity to consolidate research on place-based policy and cultural infrastructure, whilst learning about how national policy is made and what evidence is required for decision-making. Academic research on creative places comes from a wide range of disciplines, from economics, geography and planning to social sciences; this fellowship is an excellent way to advance arts and humanities research approaches to policy questions which can have real impact, not just on policy but also on what works when putting arts and cultural at the foundation of placemaking strategies”.
 

The 2023 scheme is funded by:

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

This investment is part of a wider UKRI commitment to facilitate deeper and more enduring connections between researchers and policymakers.
 

Caglar Koksal, Research Associate and Lecturer in Planning said: 

“I am pleased to be joining the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on a fellowship focused on the relationship between urban development and health and wellbeing. Urban planning’s role in promoting health and addressing disparities is of paramount importance. With a rising emphasis on prevention, health creation, and the wider determinants of health in our national discourse, this fellowship offers a unique platform to delve deeper into these areas in collaboration with policy teams. I look forward to the opportunity to bridge academic insights with the nuances of policy-making and contribute to the evolving dialogue on how our built environment impacts our health.”
 

Dr Eon Kim, Lecturer in Criminology, said:

“I am excited to be selected for the Home Office, National Crime and Justice Lab. The fellowship offers me a valuable opportunity to collaborate with the Home Office’s Crime Strategy and Performance Unit on crime prevention initiatives. Working at the intersection of policy and data analytics, I look forward to contributing to evidence-based policy, and the future of crime reduction.”
 

The 2023 and 2021 cohorts will also connect, providing a network of active and alumni policy fellows which will grow further over the coming years, providing an ever-stronger connection between academia and policy.

Aligning in this way will enable the fellowships to contribute to achieving these shared goals, which all tackle large-scale, complex challenges, while giving the fellows access to a broad range of new UKRI research investments.

Writer Jason Allen-Paisant has won the Best Collection award 2023 at the Forward Prize for Poetry.

The University of Manchester Senior Lecturer’s ‘Self-Portrait as Othello’ is a dazzling poetic memoir, which imaginatively places the figure of Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris and Venice, inventing the kinds of narrative he might tell about his intersecting identities. 

Allen-Paisant collected the Forward Prize for Best Collection on Monday night at an awards ceremony in Leeds hosted by Poet Laureate and 91ֱ�� graduate Simon Armitage.
 

John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative 91ֱ��, said:

The news also celebrates the success of University of Manchester-affiliated Carcanet Press: ‘Self-Portrait as Othello’ is the Jamaican poet’s second book with Carcanet and has also been shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize 2023.
 

Chair of Judges for the Best Collections panel, Bernardine Evaristo said:

Director for Creative 91ֱ��’s Professor John McAuliffe wrote:

Never Was takes the reader from a limbo of lost dreams to a small salt-mining town in the North, exploring transness alongside class, addiction and grief, and examining the way identity is both inherited and re-invented.
 

Judge Ellen Peirson-Hagger, assistant culture editor at the New Statesman, the prize’s partner, said:

The Prize, which celebrates “fiction that breaks the mould”, carries a prize of £10,000.

The Goldsmith’s Prize winner will be announced on 8 November 2023.

University of Manchester Senior Lecturer and writer Jason Allen-Paisant is celebrating another shortlisting today for his second collection of poems, Self-Portrait as Othello.

Self-Portrait as Othello is a dazzling poetic memoir, which imaginatively places the figure of Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris and Venice, inventing the kinds of narrative he might tell about his intersecting identities. The collection has also been shortlisted for the 2023 for best poetry collection.

Also making the 2023 shortlist is More Sky, the debut collection by Joe Carrick-Varty. The British-Irish poet is a graduate of the Centre for New Writing’s MA in Creative Writing, and was named as a Burgess Writer Fellow at the Centre in 2023.

Director of the CNW, Dr. Kaye Mitchell, writes:

91ֱ��-based and University of Manchester affiliated Carcanet Press is also celebrating a triple shortlist award in the T.S Eliot Prize 2023. In addition to Jason and Joe, poet and novelist Kit Fan’s work The Ink Cloud Reader has completed the trio of accolades for Carcanet.

The winner, to be announced in January, will receive £25,000, while each shortlisted poet will receive £1,500.

“We are confident that all 10 shortlisted titles not only meet the high standards they set themselves but speak most effectively to, and of, their moment,” said Irish poet and judging chair , a past winner of the prize. “If there’s a single word for that moment it is surely ‘disrupted’, and all these poets properly reflect that disruption.”

“Shot through though they are with images of grief, migration, and conflict, they are nonetheless imbued with energy and joy,” he continued. “The names of some poets will be familiar, others less so; all will find a place in your head and heart.”

Taking place in the heart of Media City at the Innovation Hub on 22 September, the conference provided a day of informative key notes and panels discussing the environment in which creative businesses operate, challenges such as a lack of diversity in the workforce as well as opportunities brought on by the advance of generative AI and data-driven analytics and marketing.

Newly appointed University of Manchester Professor of Creative and Cultural Industries contributed to the panel ‘Skills Issues & Challenges within the Creative, Digital & Media Sector’ drawing from his research into the prevalent challenges of inequality within the creative sector and highlighted the urgency of transforming hiring practices and organizational cultures to foster diversity and inclusion.

Speaking about the relevance of pro-manchester’s Creative Conference and his involvement on the panel, Professor O’Brien says that: 

We’d like to thank pro-manchester for organising a thought-provoking and informative event as well as the other conference sponsors , , and for their contributions.

The project will take advantage of, and research, Camerata's move to The Monastery in Gorton and will ask the following overarching question: what factors underpin the ways in which those who work for Camerata, with Camerata, and/or participate in its projects respond to The Monastery and to Gorton as a place? 

To find out more about Rebecca and her work, we sent her some questions.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your areas of interest and your work

Prior to beginning the PhD I worked as Creative Producer in a joint role with Creative 91ֱ�� and 91ֱ�� Camerata. This incredibly varied role involved producing concerts (both live and digital), as well as teaching and knowledge exchange with the University. 

I have always been interested in barriers to the orchestral world, as well as issues of taste, class, education, and the role played by family in musical preferences. 

My MA dissertation explored motivations of younger classical concert attendees, and prior to the Creative Producer role I worked at the Royal Northern College of Music organising concerts and working with students on their professional development. My first introduction to the music world was as a classical guitarist, which I studied in Western Australia and the UK.
 

Tell us about 91ֱ�� Camerata, its work in the community and its partnership with The University of Manchester

91ֱ�� Camerata is an organisation which is always looking forward. This can be seen not only in its eclectic programming and presentation on the concert stage, but also in its internationally recognised community work. Camerata puts collaboration at the heart of all its work, whether this be collaborating with a world-class soloist or a person living with dementia.

Each collaborator is given equal importance and attention, and the organisation is always looking for opportunities to bridge the gap between the Community and Concerts departments, which highlights the view that the concert stage is no more important than work which takes place in community settings.

The partnership between 91ֱ�� Camerata and the University of Manchester began over 10 years ago, with discussions leading to the co-supervision of Dr Robyn Dowlen’s PhD on the ‘in the moment’ musical experiences of people living with dementia. Camerata’s association with Creative 91ֱ�� began in 2018, resulting in the collaborative role of Creative Producer.
 

Your PhD looks at the dynamics of collaboration in the community work undertaken by 91ֱ�� Camerata and the ways in which place and community mediate classical music, memory and belonging. Why is this topic important to you?

In my role as Creative Producer I was fortunate enough to work on projects which brought communities together, performing music written by participants with support from Camerata musicians. Historically, the ‘outreach’ of the past often placed emphasis on an arts organisation entering a community’s space and dictating to them, rather than working with them. 

Camerata’s approach to empower participants to write and perform alongside the orchestra has produced some truly magical moments of joy and connection, and it is this which I am keen to explore.
 

Looking to the future, do you have any plans, goals or dreams that your current work might help you achieve?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a wide range of experiences over the past 4 years of the Creative Producer role, including working at a concert in New Delhi, producing films during the pandemic, organising recording sessions, and chairing conference panels. A definite highlight was co-writing and co-teaching the MA Creative Producing module with the which cemented my desire to move into lecturing. I really enjoy working with students and have always strived to incorporate some aspect of mentoring in each of my jobs.
 

Finally, what music has been keeping you inspired this year?

Well I have a toddler so I mostly listen to whatever she enjoys! Thankfully she seems to have good taste and we like listening to The Beatles and flamenco together. When I get the chance to listen to music on my own I love soundtracks, particularly Michael Nyman’s work on Peter Greenaway’s films, or Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ. Film is my other great love and I’m always ready to bore anyone talking about it.

Find out more about 91ֱ�� Camerata and their relationship with the Gorton community by watching their video, ‘’.

The fellowship recognises the outstanding contribution Keisha makes to the performing arts scene here 91ֱ��, her home city.

John McAuliffe, Director of Creative 91ֱ��, said:

Felicia Chan, Head of Drama and Film at the University of Manchester said:

Keisha Thompson, CEO of Contact Theatre and recipient of the Honorary Research fellowship said:

2023 will take place 7-22 October, featuring a programme of exciting events marking the city’s contribution to literature.

The University of Manchester is proud to be the Festival’s official Higher Education Partner, working closely with the MLF team and offering several events in partnership with the University’s and research platform.

This year’s Festival begins with a , where lucky audience members will join award-winning poet, author and honorary Chair of Creative Writing at The University of Manchester Lemn Sissay as he launches his new collection of morning poems, ‘Let the Light Pour In.’

Other partnership events showcase new publications by celebrated authors – including renowned contemporary novelist , bestselling American author , classicist and BBC Radio 4 broadcaster and prize-winning Icelandic novelist, playwright and poet .

On 7 October, cult author with a live electronic score by musician Roly Porter, followed by a conversation about his work.

On 19 October, join us for the annual Rylands Poetry Reading and raise a toast to of publishing some of the most vital, diverse and provocative poetry, essays, interviews and reviews from around the globe. Contributing editors Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Sasha Dugdale and Will Harris will be sharing their own poems alongside some of their favourite discoveries from PN Review.

Professor of New Writing and prolific author returns to MLF on 22 October to launch her new book Night Side of the River: Ghost Stories. She will read from her new collection and share some of her real-life encounters with the occult.

Lecturers from the Centre for New Writing feature in two events: Poet Jason Allen-Paisant is to premiere a new co-commission inspired by work in the Gallery and author Beth Underdown hosts on 7 October at Central Library. , an author event with Wen Zhen and Gu Shi on 15 October is presented by the University’s alongside Comma Press.

For those looking for more literature events after the main Festival period, there will be two partnership Bookend events in November. Beloved actor, comedian and writer joins us to discuss her memoir My Lady Parts: A Life Fighting Stereotypes, on 20 November, and on 29 November winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2017 joins us to discuss her superb new novel The Future.

Dr H. Gareth Gavin, Director of the Centre for New Writing said:

Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts, Co-Directors of Manchester Literature Festival  
said:

Find out more about 91ֱ�� Literature Festival and view the full programme .

The trail – overseen by research fellow, Dr Chad Campbell – ran in conjunction with and showcased over 100 young writers with work in 12 different languages.

91ֱ�� City of Literature describes the trail as, “a walkable constellation of young voices connecting community arts centres, schools, universities, and libraries with over 40 schools in Greater 91ֱ��. The Schools Writing Trail project is a celebration of the young writers who are a vibrant part of what makes 91ֱ�� a UNESCO City of Literature.”

Project manager Dr Chad Campbell commented:

Miss Kirk, a teacher at the East 91ֱ�� Academy, felt equally positively about the impact of the project on her pupils: “Young writers have been able to see buildings they have never seen before, right on their doorstep in 91ֱ��.”

Watch the film below, produced by 91ֱ�� City of Literature, to see students visiting the Schools Writing Trail and hear more from those involved:

Find out more about the Schools Writing Trail, including an archive of some of the work, on the .

A panel of judges including former University Chancellor and poet Lemn Sissay, Creative 91ֱ�� Director and Professor of Poetry and 91ֱ��-based poet and critic Maryam Hessavi, gathered to judge this year’s Micropoetry Competition entries. 

The panel took a shortlist of the most intriguing of this year’s entries and selected the very best based on their professional judgement and instincts.

This year’s poetry competition took place from 21 March 2023 to 21 June 2023. Entrants were asked to respond to the theme of ‘Science Around Us’ in no more than 280 characters.

The winning poem was submitted by Roy on Twitter and created a thoughtful discussion among the judges about its ability to make a strong connection in short, impactful statements.

“It really takes a lot of work to make something seem so effortless yet capture so much intrigue’ commented Sissay. 

“It’s taking facts and creating something truly magical It has a killer last line, a threat of a single pebble altering the height of the sea; it’s really something.”

“I like this. You can see the thought and planning; every line matters which is so important in micropoetry” added McAuliffe. “They are making us see science, taking these big ideas and transforming these into really vivid imagery; I’m impressed.”

Hessavi noted: “It’s a very powerful story of science in nature, it has a really strong, pulsating rhythm throughout. The ‘plants that survive drought’ section gives such a great impression and really captures the emotion of science too.”

The prize for the winning poem this year was £500, with £250 in prize money going to two runners-up.

The first runner-up, submitted by Lauren on Twitter was well liked by all judges, with Sissay remarking “There’s a lot of work gone into this, the way it is structured, accompanied by the sounds captures that true impact of science and energy into a well thought piece.” 

Second runner-up submitted by Animashaun Ameen via email was praised by McAuliffe, saying “Blue Heaven has a narrative that creates a strong connection with the reader, I particularly liked the ‘mistaking lightning for thunder’ line which establishes how hard it is to know the world and gets that across to the reader early on.”

In the under-18s category, a poem submitted by Maya Pal, aged 8, most impressed the judges with Hessavi commenting on Maya’s ability. Hessavi said “to generate vivid imagery in a condensed, character-limited entry shows a high level of creativity for Maya’s age. Congratulations.” 

Finally, a poem named ‘Toast’ was highly commended. The judges highlighted the poem’s ability to praise and give thanks to some of scientific creation and others in existence. Sissay said: “’Cheers to engines’, it’s a strong, powerful opening statement and we go from industry to ‘the sun and moon’ and how science is everywhere we look and in everything we do.”

John McAuliffe said:

Despite the heavy rainfall, festivalgoers didn’t let this dampen their mood and revelled in the arts, science and cosmic activities throughout the weekend. Spirits remained high thanks to an excellent programme of science talks, music and other-worldly play activities across the site as well as the hard work of festival staff to keep the festival grounds accessible.

This unique festival taking place in the shadow of the Lovell telescope draws thousands of attendees each year and stands out through its programming balancing extraordinary music acts with science and academic research on current issues. This year, Bluedot also provided an excellent opportunity for Creative 91ֱ�� to showcase its research in creativity and creative practice and engage with the general public.

Throughout the festival we showcased a variety of our research activities including the ever-popular 'Hear your own voice' oscilloscope activity (), a showcase of Keep It Human Studios’ upcoming videogame '', poetry workshops and 's sustainability poetry puzzles.

On the final day of the festival, we were delighted to hold two events at the Mission Control stage, which saw the whole tent packed on both occasions.

To start off, Professor of Public History and broadcaster was in conversation with Professor of Sociology and journalist , who discussed the experience of being Black and British as well as the remnants and public perceptions of the British Empire.

The second event saw Senior Research Fellow, editor-at-large of Canongate in conversation with renowned writer, educator and Senior Research Fellow , who discussed his latest book ', black masculinity and being a black teacher in a white education system.

As well as audience members, 91ֱ�� International Festival welcomes hundreds of volunteers from The University of Manchester staff and student community, who support the Festival.

The University of Manchester is proud to be a long-standing Senior Supporter of the festival and organiser , which we celebrated with two Creative 91ֱ��-led events at the MIF23 Festival Dome, which showcased the platform’s research in creativity and creative practice.

On 4th July a panel of academics and artists came together to discuss the exhibition '', which is part of the major AHRC-funded research project ''. The exhibition is currently showing at the Whitworth until 7 January 2024.

On 5th July academics, artists and producers discussed how young people’s participation in arts, culture and entertainment activities relates to their wellbeing, using insights from the and the .

The category received a record 20,000 votes, registered in person at this year’s Photo Exhibition at Alliance 91ֱ�� Business School, at the University’s Community Festival, and online via Google and WeChat.

Huang Bingyao’s entry depicts his grandfather as the main character of his picture, sitting outside with a bowler hat on his head and the family treasure, the Yunnan hookah, in his hands. Commenting on his submission, the photographer said:

MCI Director, , said:

, Head of the School of Arts, Languages, and Culture at the University of Manchester, added:

Each year, school pupils are invited to draft poems relating to a particular theme. This year’s theme, shared with the annual Great Science Share was ‘Science Around Us’. 

Led by Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative 91ֱ��, John McAuliffe, and Lecturer in Poetry and Creative Writing Project Manager, Dr Chad Campbell, judges awarded several prizes to pupils from Whalley Range High School, Levenshulme High School, The East 91ֱ�� Academy and Burnage Academy.

The judges assessed the poems and were looking for unique takes on the theme, effective imagery, innovative use of form, and creative command of language.

Congratulations to all the winners, who are as follows:

• Mohammad Jawal, Year 7, Burnage Academy
• Arazw Hasan and Serin Simpson, Year 7, Whalley Range High School
• Eshaal Rishan, Year 8, Whalley Range High School
• Amira Shahid, Year 9, Whalley Range High School
• Roheen Dar, Year 10, Whalley Range High School
• Nimrah Kamal, Levenshulme High School
• Mariam Attya, Year 7, East 91ֱ�� Academy
• Marina Ciubotari, Year 8, East 91ֱ�� Academy
• Brooklyn Thompson, Year 10, East 91ֱ�� Academy

On the competition, John McAuliffe said:

All winning entries from this year’s competition were also featured on 91ֱ�� City of Literature’s inaugural Schools Writing Trail, a city-wide exhibition of the ‘best of the best’ student writing displayed, in conjunction with the Festival of Libraries, from 1 -15 June.

Please see below all the first, second and third place entries plus honourable mentions:

Burnage Academy

1st Place: Mohammed Jawal, ‘Golden Poem’
2nd Place: Adhain Mohammad, ‘Untitled’
3rd Place: Cruz Reid ‘Space’s Wonders’, Haris Waqas ‘Ocean’

Honourable Mentions: Abdullah Ashar ‘Untitled’, Adam K ‘Earth Poem’, Arash Ranjbar ‘I Wonder’, Arshmaam Arshmaam ‘Atoms’, Hasan Rafiq ‘Other Life’, Zahi Khan ‘Space’

Whalley Range High School

Year 7 Winner (Joint): Arazw Hasan ‘Matter Poem’, Serin Simpson ‘The Seed that Grew’
Year 8 Winner: Eshaal Rishan ‘Altered Memories’
Year 9 Winner: Amira Shahid ‘Untitled’
Year 10 Winner: Roheen Dar ‘All the Parts You No Longer Love’

Honourable Mention: Menahil Imran ‘Mosaic’

Levenshulme High School

1st Place: Nimrah Kamal ‘Light in the dark Galaxy’
2nd Place: Zonaira Khan ‘Nature’
3rd Place: Zainal Muhammed ‘Untitled’

Honourable Mentions: Aleeha Kiani ‘Einstein’, Fatime Elani Arif ‘What am I? Oxygen’

East 91ֱ�� Academy

Year 7
1st: Mariam Attya ‘The World in its Light’
2nd: Jordan Byfield ‘Untitled’
3rd: Lourdes Boakye ‘Untitled’

Honourable Mention: Isha Hayat ‘Birds’, Daniel ‘What’s Science’

Year 8
1st: Marina Ciubotari ‘Have You Ever Wondered?’
2nd: Paris Hedgecock ‘Dear Aliens, I’m Sorry’
3rd: Elijah Kirkickaite ‘Take a Closer Look’

Honourable Mention: Cyrus Nixon ‘Untitled’, Mercy Osifesto ‘The Wonders of the Galaxy’

Year 10
1st: Brooklyn Thompson

– the University’s creativity-championing research platform – offered five workshop sessions in partnership with the , Programme in and .

‘Writing for Wellbeing’ took place at Marple and Chetham Libraries on 7 and 8 June. Facilitators from the Centre for New Writing, Dr Rebecca Hurst and Tessa Harris, worked with participants to explore the benefits of creative writing on personal wellbeing.

Also at Chetham’s Library, ‘What’s in a word, and what’s in a dictionary?’ saw the workshop group work with staff from the Department of Linguistics and English Language to look at how we define the meanings of words.

‘Tasting Children’s Literature – An edible readathon’ ran for two sessions: a private session for EYFS children at St Andrew’s C of E Primary School Levenshulme, at Arcadia Library, and a session open to the public, at 91ֱ�� Central Library. Children enjoyed a story time session with play food, colouring activities and fruits to eat.

The , overseen by Creative 91ֱ�� research fellow, Dr Chad Campbell, is also currently being hosted on campus and can be found in the glass corridor exhibition space in Samuel Alexander Building.

This year’s Festival of Libraries was a huge success and has been nominated for a Saboteur Award in the category of Best Literary Festival.

Find out more about the .

forms part of the Universities three research platforms and convenes, develops and sustains interdisciplinary research communities across The University of Manchester and Greater 91ֱ�� while raising awareness of creativity as a practice.

Each of our unique cultural institutions – the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 91ֱ�� Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

In this lecture describes how to use the music of the Sun to understand what happens to the solar magnetic field beneath its surface and how we can now apply these techniques to other stars to work out how typical a star our Sun actually is.

This event takes place from 7.30pm – 9pm, on Thursday 15 June 2023 in the First Light Pavilion at .

Everyone is welcome to attend. You can purchase a ticket via the .

How to enter

Entries will need to combine a vast and thought-provoking topic with a strict 280-character Twitter limit.

The competition is open to everyone, and entrants can submit their micropoem via Twitter using the hashtag #micropoem23. People can also submit their poem by email with the same 280-character limit, including the hashtag.

Competition deadline

The competition will close on Wednesday, 21 June. Lemn and fellow judges John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative 91ֱ��, and 91ֱ��-based poet and critic Maryam Hessavi, will then deliberate over the submissions.

The writer of the judges’ favourite poem will win a prize of £500, while two runners-up will receive £250 each. There will also be an under-18 first prize of a £25 book token.

Martin Amis, who has just died in Florida, worked as our first Professor of Creative Writing at The University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing from 2007-2011. All of us who worked with Martin at the Centre for New Writing send our condolences to his family.

“As Professor here, Martin set up new seminars, for writers, which looked at canonical texts, and set about introducing our students to the kind of work they might not have come across in their previous reading, the less well-known works of Nabokov and Bellow, the comic novel, the Russian novella - as well as works by Austen, Dickens, Joseph Conrad, Anthony Burgess and others.”

“Martin's position here drew interest from student writers (applications for the MA surged), but Martin's biggest contribution, possibly, was the series of events he ran at venues in the university and in downtown 91ֱ��. They drew big crowds of readers for debates about literature's relation to subjects as various (or linked!) as religion, violence, Britishness, suicide, film, which started new discussions - about the role of contemporary writer, as well as showing the continuing appetite for talk about literature inside and outside the university.”

“Martin was, also, great, congenial company: he was devoted to writing and it was a pleasure for us to work alongside someone who took such pleasure from the life of books, and life itself. We always looked forward to his return visits to the city, and are sure his books, a number of which were launched here, will continue to delight and instruct their readers.”

Professor John McAuliffe and Professor Ian McGuire
Centre for New Writing, The University of Manchester 
 

, award-winning author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology, Gary Younge, has been shortlisted for The Orwell Prize for Journalism 2023. Formerly a columnist at The Guardian he is an editorial board member of the Nation magazine and the Alfred Knobler Fellow for Type Media.

The Orwell Prizes are awarded every year to the writing and reporting which best meets the spirit of George Orwell's own ambition 'to make political writing into an art'.

The three pieces shortlisted are:

Gary joined The University of Manchester in 2020 from The Guardian, where he was appointed US correspondent in 2003, before becoming their editor-at-large in 2015. Gary’s latest book is a collection of his journalism, .

is the intersection of creativity meeting technology. It brings together creative skills and emerging technologies to create new ways of engaging audiences and to inspire business growth and investment.

With keynotes from the Creative Director of Future Everything, University of Salford academics and the Data Science team of the BBC the event will showcase outputs from academic projects and academic-industry collaborations in the realm of CreaTech.

During showcase lightning pitches attendees will hear from academics from the Royal Northern College of Music, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University, University of Salford, University of Manchester as well as the organisations 91ֱ�� Camerata and Imago Software.

Showcase Lightning Pitches include:

• Measuring audience response: Michelle Phillips, Royal Northern College of Music
• Bloomin' NFTs: Marsha Courneya, Adam Cooke, Alasdair Swenson, School of Digital Arts at 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University
• We Love Our Parks: Ursula Hurley, University of Salford
• UnSupervised, the Machine Learning for Music project: Tasos Asonities, University of Manchester
• Sonifying the Self: Biometric Data as the New Paradigm for Interactive Music Composition: Chris Rhodes, University of Manchester
• Music in Mind Remote: Bringing Music to Life in Dementia Care: Lizzie Hoskin, Head of Community 91ֱ�� Camerata; with Joseph Higgitt, Advina Wu, and Louis Jackson - Imago Software
• Nested Cinematic Reality: Dr Pavel Prokopic, University of Salford
• Style3D fashion 3D digitalisation: Charlene Gallery, University of Manchester

Free to attend and open to everyone. .

The (MCI), in partnership with , launched the exhibition on Wednesday 3 May in recognition of the entries from the .

Displayed throughout the entrance at AMBS is a collection of the top 30 entries, accompanied by the bilingual short stories all focused on the theme of ‘family treasures.’

The competition welcomed several hundred smartphone entries from residents of both the UK and China. The finalists and winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of Prof Michael Wood (University of Manchester), Dr Zhang Hai (Yunnan University), Xiaowen Zhu (ESEA Director), and Dr Bingchun Meng (LSE).

The winning photos were unveiled at the launch event by Greater 91ֱ�� High Sheriff, Gerry Yeung, 91ֱ�� Museum Director, Esme Ward, Creative 91ֱ�� Director, John McAuliffe, and Head of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Manchester, Kate Cambden.

The four main winners announced were:

• UK Winner (£1000): Corina Andrisan with ‘Art is my Treasure’
• China Winner (¥8,888): Zhou Zheng with ‘Kitchen Mother’
• UK Runner-up (£300): Olivia Parsonage with ‘Maika’s Ba’s Hat’
• China Runner-up (¥2,888): Kaz with ‘Hair Shave’

Amongst the special guests attending were broadcaster and author, Professor Michael Wood, returning as a judge for the 5th consecutive year, and Dr Zhang Hai, who joined this year’s judging panel for the first time. The two judges expertly read heartfelt bilingual letters sent by the UK and China winners, giving voice to their beautiful stories. Head of the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures at the University of Manchester Thomas Schmidt, and MCI Director, Peter Gries also spoke at the ceremony, with Professor Peter Gries emphasising the heart of the contest:

The exhibition is open to visitors at AMBS until May 31. It encourages people to vote for their favourite photo, either in-person or online. The photo receiving the highest number of votes will receive a £500 prize alongside the People’s Choice Award accolade. To view the photos and to vote online, visit the link .

Following the success of the past two years of celebrations, the 2023 festival showcases a vibrant programme of events in libraries across all ten boroughs of Greater 91ֱ��.

– the University’s creativity-championing research platform - is delighted to be offering several workshop sessions in partnership with the , and .

Writers from the Centre for New Writing will be facilitating a ‘Writing for Wellbeing’ workshop which explores how creative writing can have positive effects on mental health and wellbeing. ‘What’s in a word, and what’s in a dictionary?’ is a session run by the Linguistic Diversity Collective exploring the meanings of everyday words and idiomatic phrases. ‘Tasting children’s literature – An edible readathon’ is presented by academics and students in the Programme in American Studies and offers an immersive experience and readathon of classic children’s literature aimed at young children and their parents.

All workshops are free to attend but booking is required due to very limited spaces.

Writing for Wellbeing

What’s in a word, and what’s in a dictionary?

Tasting children’s literature – an edible readathon

Festival of Libraries is funded by Arts Council England and enjoys the support and collaboration of authors, artists and creatives, who all believe in the vital community and cultural role of libraries.

Find out more, including the full .